Rep. Kelvin Lawrence, D-Hayneville, was arrested Tuesday and charged with two felonies, according to a release from State Attorney General Steve Marshall.
According to the release, the 50-year-old is charged with forgery in the second degree and criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree. Both charges are Class C felonies and punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
“The indictment alleges that Lawrence, with the intent to defraud, falsely made, completed or altered a builder’s license,” the release read.
The case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General Office’s Special Prosecutions Division. Lawrence did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Lawrence has represented Alabama House District 69 since 2014. His professional experience includes working as a home builder.
House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, issued a statement on Lawrence’s arrest Tuesday morning, calling the situation “unfortunate.”
“I expect members of the Alabama House of Representatives to hold themselves to the highest standard of integrity in both their personal and professional lives,” Ledbetter said. “Rep. Kelvin Lawrence’s indictment presents an unfortunate situation for his constituents and colleagues alike. I have full confidence in our justice system’s ability to assess the facts of this case and determine an appropriate course of action.”
The charge is the latest accusation against a state lawmaker. Three members of the House of Representatives resigned after pleading guilty to criminal charges during this four-year term.
John Rogers, a Democrat from Birmingham, resigned from the Legislature after agreeing to plead guilty to federal conspiracy and obstruction of justice charges related to a grant program. At the time of his resignation, Rogers was the longest serving member of the Alabama House of Representatives. State Rep. Fred L. Plump, Jr., a Democrat from Fairfield, pleaded guilty to related charges.
Rep. David Cole, a Republican from Huntsville, last year pleaded guilty to a voter fraud charge that he rented a closet-size space in a home to fraudulently run for office in a district where he did not live.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.